FAQs About the Texas Criminal Process

Posted on May 22, 2017 8:30am PDT

Were you recently arrested for a crime in Plano, Dallas, or anywhere else
in Texas? If this is your first run-in with the “wrong side of the
law,” you probably have questions, and understandably so. In order
to help you better understand the
criminal process in Texas, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

If after reading this list, you need further assistance with a criminal
law matter, don’t hesitate to contact our firm to schedule a consultation
with an experienced member of our legal team.

What is the difference between misdemeanors and felonies? In Texas, crimes are classified into misdemeanors and felonies, with felonies
being the more serious of the two. Misdemeanors typically involve DWIs,
simple assaults, and petty theft offenses. Felonies involve serious offenses
against the person, such as sexual assault, manslaughter, robbery, as
well as property offenses, such as home burglaries.

What happens after an arrest? Shortly after an arrest, the suspect is brought before a judge and informed
of his or her charges. The judge sets a bond amount, and reads the defendant
their rights. If the defendant cannot post bond, he or she will be transferred
to a county jail as they wait for their case to proceed through the courts.

Why does the judge set bond? The vast majority of cases allow bond to be set; the bond amount is set
by the judge, NOT by the prosecutor. The purpose of bond is to ensure
the defendant appears in court for future proceedings. When setting bond,
the judge considers the nature of the offense, and whether the defendant
is a danger to the community.

Will I always have the same prosecutor? Not necessarily. Since it can take months, if not years to conclude a
case, sometimes a defendant will have more than one prosecutor handle
their case.

How long until my case goes to trial? Unfortunately, the court dockets are quite full. Usually, the oldest cases
get priority, and then the cases where defendants are in jail awaiting
trial are handled next. It can take between nine months and three years
from the date of arrest for a case to go to trial.

Fort Worth Office

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.